This post is going to divert from
the usual ATZ game…though it’s been on hiatus while my Victorious Kickstarter
was plugging along. This is more about the idea of zombie apocalypses (ZA) and
their fascination to Americans.
What first got me interested in
this idea was a comment made on the “Watching Dead” Podcast (baldmove.com)
where the hosts compared the shooting and camerawork of the series The Walking
Dead (TWD) to a western cowboy-style show. This connected with me, and I
wondered why that was. After all, other than gunplay it didn’t seem to have
much similarity on the surface.
Then (as I’m a historian) I thought
of the 1893 Turner Thesis. In essence this lamented the fact that by 1893 the
“Frontier” of the United States no longer existed. Turner was concerned at this
because he believed that American culture was shaped by the idea of a frontier.
A place where people who failed or had trouble in one place could simply go to
the frontier and ‘remake’ themselves and their lives. This created the American
ideal of self-made (wo)men and hard work leads to success. In short, overcoming
obstacles was a character building exercise.
Then it occurred to me, isn’t that
exactly what a post-ZA world is? A frontier of danger and opportunities all
around you? Civilization is limited to small communities constantly under
threat by outlaw humans and ‘natives’ (ie zombies)? A place where people can
remake themselves for good or ill? Thinking about each of the main characters
in TWD (TV)…each one of them has changed and grown as people. A few went bad to
be sure, but they either died because of their bad choices (Shane) or recovered
a sense of humanity to become overall better people (Rick, Daryl,…arguably
Carol).
Anyway, it seems fascinating to consider. Please feel free
to post opinions!
Zombie Chow
2 comments:
Interesting observation. I agree with the Turner Thesis, at least somewhat. As an American, I view the idea of 'heading to the frontier' and making a world for yourself is one of the defining parts of American culture (such as it is!) The idea of being able to face down any obstacle or hardship, and come out a more successful person is certainly part of it.
As it applies to the zombie apocalypse, the world is wide open, and all the current norms and social mores are broken. It makes everywhere 'the frontier' and life is dangerous and a struggle just to stay alive. I think part of this appeals to many people, as they see themselves surviving, and then getting to remake themselves, and by extension, civilization.
Maybe it's just that smashing zombies is pretty nifty, and plenty of gore and scary stuff makes for fun TV and gaming...
Great conversation starter.
Thanks for the insightful comments, Nobody667!
I wonder if this might also explain the "survivalist" movement of the 1970s-end of Cold War. Again, is it simply a matter of self realization?
Also, there's a certain Libertarian type argument as well. The survivor by definition doesn't require government to 'help' him/her. They make their own lives have meaning through their own efforts. Which everyone assumes they will be the one who survives...someone (I forget who) once made a comment that "We are all the heroes of our story." Few of us are willing to admit that in a 'real' ZA we'd be toast and incapable of surviving without help. I do, but being disabled gives me a honest perspective on my chances.
...and that's the reason for my blog name!
Zombie Chow
Post a Comment